Best 2 Christmas Braid Recipes
Indulge in a delectable journey of flavors with our Christmas Braid, a culinary masterpiece that embodies the spirit of the festive season. This exquisite bread, intricately crafted with layers of sweet dough and a delightful filling, is a true feast for the senses. With three tantalizing variations to choose from, each recipe offers a unique symphony of flavors that will captivate your taste buds. From the classic Poppy Seed Filling, bursting with nutty sweetness, to the indulgent Chocolate Filling, a rich and decadent treat, and the tangy Apricot Filling, a burst of fruity delight, our Christmas Braid is a versatile canvas for your culinary creativity.
**Poppy Seed Filling:** Immerse yourself in the traditional flavors of Christmas with our Poppy Seed Filling recipe. This classic filling, made with a blend of ground poppy seeds, sugar, and milk, delivers a harmonious balance of sweetness and texture that complements the soft and fluffy bread perfectly.
**Chocolate Filling:** For those who crave a more decadent experience, our Chocolate Filling recipe is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. This luscious filling, crafted with melted chocolate, cocoa powder, and sugar, creates a rich and velvety center that will tantalize your taste buds.
**Apricot Filling:** If you prefer a fruity twist, our Apricot Filling recipe offers a delightful burst of flavors. This filling, featuring chopped dried apricots, sugar, and a touch of cinnamon, adds a tangy and refreshing element to the Christmas Braid, making it a perfect choice for those who enjoy a balance of sweet and sour.
No matter which filling you choose, our Christmas Braid is a surefire hit that will impress your family and friends this holiday season. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and let the aroma of freshly baked bread fill your home as you embark on a culinary adventure that will create lasting memories.
CHRISTMAS BRAID
This holiday bread is easy to make, although the braiding takes a bit of practice. I serve it for evening coffees, then use the rest toasted for breakfast. I also give it as gifts-it's delicious with cheese-and it always goes over big at Christmas bake sales. My husband's a dairy farmer. I work as a bank teller and stenographer. At home, I enjoy cooking and crafts.
Provided by Taste of Home
Time 1h
Yield 3 breads.
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine 3 cups flour and yeast. In a saucepan, heat milk, sugar, butter and salt to 120°-130°; add to flour mixture. Add egg. Beat on low speed with electric mixture for 30 seconds; increase speed to medium and continue beating for 3 minutes. Stir in raisins, candied fruit, nuts an enough remaining flour to form a stiff dough. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8-10 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1-1/2 hours. Divide dough in thirds, then divide each into thirds again. Roll each piece into a 15-in. rope. Place 3 ropes 1 in. apart on greased baking sheet. Begin braiding loosely in the middle and work toward the ends. Pinch ends together and tuck under. Repeat with remaining ropes. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30-40 minutes. Combine egg yolk and water; brush over braids. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until browned. Cool on wire racks.
Nutrition Facts :
CHRISTMAS BRAID (YEAST BREAD)
This is an bread recipe that has been passed through the generations and every person has their own version of it. My mom makes it. I make it, My daughters make it and everyone makes it differently but it's always delicious. The picture is one of mine I made last Christmas season ( I normally make many during the holiday...
Provided by Deb S.
Categories Other Desserts
Time 3h45m
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- 1. Disolve yeast in warm water, stir in milk, sugar, butter, egg, salt and 2 cups of the flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in more flour to make dough plyable/easy to handle. Turn into greased bowl, Cover and put on top of stove to rise. Let rise 1.5 hours (until nearly double in size) Punch down, kneed again. Put back in bowl to rise another 1/2 hour or so. Turn out onto Floured area. Cut dough into halves or Thirds (I do halves) Each half gets split into thirds to roll out. Roll out each section, Spread butter, brown suger, walnuts. Roll up, place on (good insulated cookie sheet or baking sheet) don't want the bottom to burn or get too brown.) You place each of the three sections on a baking sheet and braid them together or make a design you feel confortable with. Once you have braided them make sure the ends are closed off..and bake the alotted time. When the breads come out.. Immediately brush butter on them. Brush or drizzle glaze mixture over the warm bread, when still on baking sheet, sprinkle brown sugar, cinnamon, walnut mixture over the top, decorate with cherries and let cool. This recipe makes two good sized braids. Keep one for yourself and give the other away.. Everyone loves this bread as it's not sickening sweet. Tip. Take breads out when lightly brown.. Don't over cook and you will have a more soft chewy inside to the bread.
- 2. Make a mixture of the filling up while your bread dough is rising. You can also put chop up some of the cherries and put that in your filling if you like. When it is time to roll your dough you will butter it and spread this mixture before you roll up each section and make your braids.
- 3. For the Glaze I generally don't even measure.. I just mix up some confectioners sugar and milk to a smooth consistancy and add a little cherry juice to the mixture for flavor and color. Should be a pale pink color. When the bread comes out. Brush butter over the bread first then when you take the bread off the cookie sheets and put it on a plate or container of your choice you can decorate it by drizzling or brushing on the glaze, sprinkling any left over topping mix over and placing the cherries. I also drizzle more glaze after I have put on my cherries. This bread is soooo good!!
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients, especially the butter and flour, to ensure the best flavor and texture.
- Make sure the butter is cold and cubed before adding it to the flour mixture. This will help create a flaky crust.
- Do not overmix the dough. Overmixing will make the dough tough.
- Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling it out. This will help prevent the dough from shrinking in the oven.
- Brush the dough with an egg wash before baking. This will help give the braid a golden brown color.
- Bake the braid until it is golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 190°F (88°C).
- Let the braid cool slightly before slicing and serving.
Conclusion:
The Christmas braid is a delicious and festive bread that is perfect for the holiday season. With its flaky crust, sweet filling, and beautiful braided design, this bread is sure to impress your family and friends. Follow these tips to make the best Christmas braid possible.
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